Balance dysfunction remains a significant factor for disability in the elderly [1]. Several mechanisms
have been proposed do explain the changes in balance during aging. Balance disorders represent a growing
public health problem due to the association with falls and fall related injuries [2]. The complexity of the balance
system, however, often requires a thorough, multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and successful treatment of
balance impairment [3]. The vestibular system detects head movement in space and in turn generates reflexes that
are crucial for daily activities, such as stabilizing the visual axis and maintaining head and body posture [4]. To
measure postural balance an accurate and reliable instrument is needed that can numerically reflect the importance
of the different variables involved in human balance [5]. With this study it’s our aim to directly determine the
balance of older people and to establish the importance of the vestibular system in aging.
University of León, León, Spain
The data of postural balance in three test conditions was collated with a Metitur® force
platform (normal standing with eyes open, normal standing with eyes closed, foam standing with eyes open and
foam standing with eyes closed...

Balance dysfunction remains a significant factor for disability in the elderly [1]. Several mechanisms have been proposed do explain the changes in balance during aging. Balance disorders represent a growing public health problem due to the association with falls and fall related injuries [2]. The complexity of the balance system, however, often requires a thorough, multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and successful treatment of balance impairment [3]. The vestibular system detects head movement in space and in turn generates reflexes that are crucial for daily activities, such as stabilizing the visual axis and maintaining head and body posture [4]. To measure postural balance an accurate and reliable instrument is needed that can numerically reflect the importance of the different variables involved in human balance [5]. With this study it’s our aim to directly determine the balance of older people and to establish the importance of the vestibular system in aging. University of León, León, Spain The data of postural balance in three test conditions was collated with a Metitur® force platform (normal standing with eyes open, normal standing with eyes closed, foam standing with eyes open and foam standing with eyes closed...

Objective: Physical and psychological incapacity, including fear of falling is related to decreased satisfaction with life in osteoporosis (OP). The impact of a balance exercise program on improving the quality of life is not well established. We have, therefore, investigated the effect of 12-month Balance Training Program in quality of life, functional balance and falls in elderly OP women. Methods: Sixty consecutive women with senile OP were randomized into a Balance Training Group (BT) of 30 patients and no intervention control group (CG) of 30 patients. The BT program included techniques to improve balance over a period of 12 months (1 h exercise session/week and home-based exercises). The quality of life was evaluated before and at the end of the trial using the Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ), functional balance was evaluated by Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Falls in the preceding year were noted and compared to the period of study. Results: The comparison of OPAQ variations (INITIAL-FINAL) revealed a significant improvement in quality of life in all parameters for BT compared to CG: well-being (1.61 +/- 1.44 vs. -1.46 +/- 1.32, p < 0001), physical function (1.30 +/- 1.33 vs. -0.36 +/- 0.82, p < 0.001), psychological status (1.58 +/- 1.36 vs. -1.02 +/- 0.83...

Background: Falls have a high incidence in old age people and it results in severe consequences representing a public health problem. Falls are the second worldwide cause of accidental deaths (1). The literature shows that people with high depression and anxiety symptoms have impaired balance and this is more problematic in old age people (12). Some studies have shown a relationship between depression/anxiety symptoms and balance (18) however little is known how just anxiety symptoms affect balance. It is also unknown which systems responsible for balance are more affected/preserved in this population in the absence or presence of different levels of anxiety and depression symptoms.
Aim: The aims of this study were to explore: the balance differences between old age people with presence/absence of anxiety and depression symptoms and how balance may be affected/preserved by the different levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in the same population.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. The protocol included socio-demographic, anthropometric and general clinical data. Balance confidence was evaluated with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), the balance with the Balance Evaluation System Test (BESTest) and with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The level of significance considered was set at p<0.05.
Results: 136 old age people with a mean age of 75.9±8.8 years old...

Background: Falls have a high incidence in older people, representing a public health problem.
They are most common in women although more mortal for men. It is known that body composition changes with aging and can predict functional and mobility problems. However, it is unknown whether the changes in the systems responsible for balance in humans are associated with age, gender or body composition.
This information can contribute to understand the causes of falls and to develop prevention programs.
Aim: Explore the balance-differences according to age, gender or body composition in people with 60 years or more.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. The protocol included socio-demographic, anthropometric and general clinical data. Balance confidence was evaluated with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), the balance with the Balance Evaluation System Test (BESTest) and with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
The statistical analysis was conducted in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 for Windows. The level of significance considered was set at p<0.05.
Results: 136 older people (age: 75.9±8.8) participated in this study.
Balance was significantly worse with the increase of age (60-69: 86.7±15.2...

Introduction The aging process causes structural and functional changes in the organism. Among these changes, the systems responsible for controlling the balance are also affected, especially in women. This study aims to perform an assessment and physiotherapy intervention in elderly with balance deficits through Berg scale and platform Wii Balance Board. Materials and methods The study was longitudinal quasi-experimental intervention. Held in the city of Passo Fundo, RS - Brazil. Participants were 38 elderly women who had a deficit balance. The instruments used to collect data was a questionnaire to identify, assess balance across the Berg Balance Scale and an intervention program with six games via the Wii Balance Board™ platform. To statistically analyze the effects before and after the intervention were used Wilcoxon and Pearson correlation, with a significance level of p = 0.05. Results In the present study, we observed a statistically significant improvement in the balance of elderly compared before and after intervention, moreover, the six games played also showed statistical significance when comparing the first and twentieth session, highlighting the games Tightrope Walk Table Tilt, Deep Breathing and Soccer Heading. Conclusion The evaluation and balance training with the platform Wii Balance Board were able to provide significant results for the elderly...

Introduction Hemiparesis is a common post-stroke impairment often associated with balance deficits. Standardized instruments for balance assessment may be useful in identifying individuals at risk of falling and evaluating intervention outcomes. Objectives To identify instruments with adequate psychometric properties and clinical application to assess balance in hemiparetic cases within the scope of physiotherapy and to verify tools most frequently used in studies that evaluated the effects of therapeutic interventions in order to improve the balance of hemiparetic patients. Methods A search was conducted in the Medline, Lilacs, PEDro, and Web of Science databases by two independent researchers, who selected and analyzed studies that evaluated the reliability and validity of balance assessment instruments and intervention results. Results and discussion The Berg Balance Scale was the most frequently used instrument in the intervention studies. Nine single-task tests (timed up and go, functional reach test, step test, four-square step test, side step test, supported standing balance, standing arm raise, static tandem standing, and weight shifting) and six multiple-task tests (Berg balance scale, Brunel balance assessment, Fugl-Meyer Assessment/balance section...

Studies of balance and risk factors for falling typically focus on the elderly population or on individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Although fibromyalgia is associated with intrinsic factors that predispose to falls (pain, depression, fatigue), few studies have researched balance and falls in this syndrome. The aim of this study was to verify the association between balance, balance self-efficacy and pain in women with and without fibromyalgia, and verify the association between Berg Balance Scale and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale). The sample consisted of 48 women aged between 40 and 59 years, divided into two groups: Fibromyalgia group (n=22) and Control group (n=26) with asymptomatic people. Balance was assessed by Berg Balance Scale, balance self-efficacy by the ABC Scale and pain by the visual analog scale. Mean scores for pain, Berg and ABC Scale were 5.4 cm (SD 2.6), 55 (interquartile range 54-56), and 54.6 (SD 26.6) respectively for Fibromyalgia group, and 0 cm, 56 (interquartile range 55-56), and 89.4 (SD 14.4) respectively for Control group. Statistically significant differences were found in balance on comparing both groups (p=0.000 for Berg Balance Scale and 0.009 for ABC Scale) with lower values for Fibromyalgia group. In Fibromyalgia group...

Background: We have recently demonstrated the efficacy of balance training in addition to Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) at improving measures of balance associated with an increased risk of falls in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Few knowledge translation (KT) projects have been conducted in rehabilitation settings. The goal of this study was to translate lessons learnt from efficacy studies of balance training into a sustainable clinical service. Methods: Health care professionals (HCPs) responsible for delivering PR were given an hour of instruction on the principles and practical application of balance training and the researchers offered advice regarding; prescription, progression and practical demonstrations during the first week. Balance training was incorporated three times a week into conventional PR programs. Following the program, HCPs participated in a focus group exploring their experiences of delivering balance training alongside PR. Service users completed satisfaction surveys as well as standardized measures of balance control. At six month follow-up, the sustainability of balance training was explored. Results: HCPs considered the training to be effective at improving balance and the support provided by the researchers was viewed as helpful. HCPs identified a number of strategies to facilitate balance training within PR...

The aging process modifies various systems in the body, leading to changes in mobility, balance and muscle strength. This can cause a drop in the elderly, or not changing the perceived self-efficacy in preventing falls. Objective: To compare the mobility, body balance and muscle performance according to self-efficacy for falls in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study with 63 older (65-80 years) community. Were evaluated for identification data and sociodemographic, cognitive screening using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), effective for the fall of Falls Efficacy Scale International Brazil (FES-I-BRAZIL), Mobility through the Timed Up and Go Test , the balance Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Clinical Test tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), tandem walk (TW) and Sit to Stand (STS) of the Balance Master® System. Finally, muscle performance by using isokinetic dynamometry. Statistical analysis was performed Student t test for comparison between groups, with p value ≤ 0.05. Results: Comparing the elderly with low-efficacy for falls with high-efficacy for falls, we found significant differences only for the variable Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.04). With regard to data on balance tests were significant differences in the speed of oscillation firm surface eyes open modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Test of Balance (p = 0.01). Variables to isokinetic dynamometry were no significant differences in movement knee extension...

BACKGROUND: Large positive sodium balances, independent of fluid balance, may lead to expanded extracellular fluid volumes and adverse clinical outcomes in the critically ill, including impaired oxygenation. OBJECTIVES: To estimate sodium and fluid balances in critically ill patients needing invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 48 hours and to evaluate the relationship between fluid balance, sodium balance and respiratory function (PaO2/FiO2 ratio and length of MV). DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective, observational study of 50 patients on MV in four tertiary intensive care units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daily sodium and fluid input and output, biochemistry, haemodynamic variables, oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2) and steroid and vasopressor administration were recorded for 3 days after study enrolment. Outcome data included the duration of invasive MV, ICU and hospital mortality and ICU and hospital lengths of stay. RESULTS: Fifty patients (33 men [66%]) with a mean age of 62.8 years (standard deviation, 14.6 years) and a median admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score of 82 (interquartile range [IQR], 61-99) were studied. By Day 3 after enrolment, the median cumulative fluid balance was 2668 mL (IQR, 875-3507 mL) and the cumulative sodium balance was +717 mmol (IQR...